“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)
I hear so many people use Hebrews chapter 4 as an excuse to approach God in any old way they want. Their complete lack of reverence is appalling and even more repulsive given the fact that they use scripture to try and justify themselves.
Our boldness is yet nothing except for the throne of Grace.
The mere fact that we can come before the throne of Grace is plenty bold enough. I have no claim in this boldness. It is not because of the boldness of man. To claim the right of boldness before God is to be prideful, is thus sinful and thus no more “good” in any regard before the throne. In fact, this means certain death for even the high priests of the Old Testament. To be bold and to be stupid means two different things. To rush into a burning building to save someone’s life is bold. To stand in front of a moving train is stupid. God still expects us to have the heart of the Old Testament high priests. The mere fact that we are approaching the throne of “mercy” should be enough reason to come broken. Just because we have been given the boldness to come whenever we need does not mean we deserve this opportunity. This is still the throne given to us even though we do not serve it. This is the very meaning of grace itself. Also, we come to this throne that we may obtain mercy. Mercy is not getting what we do deserve. I have never come to my father seeking mercy in a prideful, deserving attitude. I may have gotten beat down if I did. I promise I would have, at least, got a verbal lashing. How much more would the wrath of God be expected! The boldness itself came from the incarnation of Christ and His suffering of temptation yet without sin. The boldness was given to us, the mercy is given to us, and the grace is given to us. For sinful man to come crawling on his belly and begging for God’s mercy would be too bold because it would be us still trying. How much more with brokenness and a grateful heart should we take what has been given to us!
Friday, July 31, 2009
The Whole Armor of God
Ephesians 6:14-17
First, let me ask your forgiveness for the crassness of some of the following words. I read over this passage in my Bible study and the following are the thoughts that came through my mind. I felt that I needed to share it. Even though the first point may involve improper subject matter, I hope it still makes the concept real to your life.
1.) “Gird your loins with truth”
I’m really not 100% sure what “loins” are, but I guess because they rhyme, I’ve always thought it had something to do with groin. And because I’m trying to draw a specific analogy, I’m not going to research it but rather just go with it. If loin really is similar to groin, then this makes sense whey it is first. Everyone knows that the quickest way to disable a man is to dismantle the groin. Every man instinctively protects the goods first and foremost. If we take a blow to this area, we are immediately at a disadvantage.
Similarly, truth is foundational. If we take a blow to what we perceive as truth, then we are immediately weakened. For this reason, truth is one of the first things to be attacked. In fact, we live in a culture that tells us there is no absolute truth. It is as if we are the victims up continuous crotch shots. Obviously, this is not a pretty picture in many ways. Perhaps, this is why we are instructed to gird our loins with truth first. Know the truth. Understand the truth. It will become like a cup that blocks the blows of the enemy and gives you confidence to “stand strong” as instructed in the previous verse. (Ephesians 6:13-14)
2.) “Put on the breastplate of righteousness”
The breastplate protected the chest and major organs. It is the primary target when trying to make an efficient strike. It is the largest area mass and is relatively still and unchanging during movement. If someone threatens your life and you are forced to shoot them, aim “center mass.”
Our righteousness is given to us at the moment of salvation when we are “made right” in God’s eyes. There are several things to say about this. First, our righteousness is given by God and sealed by the presence of God in our hearts which, of course, lies in our chest. You may feel this is being too literal but I’m reminded of the Christian hip-hopper who chanted “God’s in my chest” and of Toby Mac who sang “put an X on my chest ‘cause X marks the spot.” This will also be an area which will receive many blows. We all know that “no one is perfect.” Because of this, many will say no one is righteous. I would have to agree were it not for the fact that this righteousness is not our own. The Bible tells us that our (self) righteousness is but filthy rags in the eyes of God. (Isaiah 64:6) The only righteousness that ca be acceptable to God is His righteousness which is present where He abides. It is, therefore, unchanging and a foundational characteristic which will try to be undermined in order to bring you down. Satan will remind you of all your sins and constantly attack you at your most vulnerable points to keep your attention on your unworthiness instead of on His righteousness. It can be argued that this is the “joy of (our) salvation.” (Psalm 51:12) The joy of his salvation is what David lost when he fell down the spiral staircase of sin beginning with his lust for Bathsheba.
3.) “shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace”
I admit this is one of my least insightful pieces of armor, which I fear may betray some need of mine. I will commit to praying for this issue and making needed changes. My first thoughts got to the rocky terrain I grew on. We were true backwoods country folk, and many considered it a shame to wear shoes. My dad would almost always go barefoot. I, on the other hand, never appreciated the idea of walking on sharp rocks and “stickers” without some protection. After all, we had bought the shoes, correct?! Why not use them for what they were intended for? Besides, I was the younger brother. There was never any telling when I would need to run from the dangers of my older brother. My shoes gave me an advantage.
Have you ever seen a Christian dancing around an issue? Perhaps that was because he had not put on his spiritual armor footwear. Scripture tells us Satan will lay open traps before our feet. Verse 13 gives the main reason for spiritual armor is to be able to “stand firm” in the evil day. It’s hard to stand at all when your feet are all messed up, much less stand firm or even move out on the offensive.
4.) “take up the shield of faith”
Obviously, the shield was a broad object that deflected the offensive weapons of the enemy before they could reach the soldier. For one who has faith, the weapons of the enemy can seem quite trivial. Flaming arrows and darts may come our way, but our faith is settled. Such faith is not a way of passively ignoring valid arguments, but rather a rational cognitive understand of the end result. Most shields were made of wood, so therefore, some sturdy well aimed arrows may have stuck into the wood. Faith actually absorbs the broad range of criticisms and shows their ultimate impotence.
Shields could also be used for offense. If you remember a scene from “Gladiator,” Maximus uses his shield to neutralize a combatant in the arena. One’s true faith may be the evidence another needs to realize the possible futility of Satan’s arsenal.
5.) “take the helmet of salvation”
As mentioned earlier, salvation is more of a heart issue than a head issue, so I wary to make any such connection. I think it is more a severity issue. The head is our most vulnerable area. A point could be said that as long as one has salvation, then let come what may! A soldier can possibly take a wound to the chest and still be able to act. But a trauma to the head could take him out of the fight completely. Perhaps the head is the most important body area discussed. Definitely, salvation sits above the other attributes and is vital for the others to have any significance.
6.) “(take) the sword of the Spirit”
Much attention is given to the idea that the sword is the only offensive weapon listed, and there is much validity to it. When Christ was being attacked by Satan, Christ used the Word of God to combat him. But what are the characteristics of a sword that may give us further insight? I’ve always loved swords and sword play. It’s almost as if there is pageantry in the aggressiveness. The swordsman practices with his sword regularly to the point where the sword almost becomes an extension of his body. Many older cultures considered the sword of the warrior as a symbol of the spirit of the fighter, and it became an identity.
Herein, lays some analogies we can work with. How great a shame it is that we have no practice with our “sword!” There are even some who are unaware that they have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside them. How are we ever to be victorious in spiritual warfare if we have no idea how to wield the sword of the Spirit? We must spend time every day to hone our skills in using this powerful weapon to the point that He becomes an identifying prominent part of us. However, let us always remember whose power it is! It is the “sword of the Spirit” and not our sword. The power is God’s. When we claim our own skill base sufficient to handle this great power, we will quickly realize that we are grossly unprepared on our own. The Spirit is the only One who can brandish this weapon as needed. I am reminded of the movie “The Last Samurai.” The main character keeps failing miserably at learning how to sword fight. His greatest piece of advise comes to him in the words “too many mind.” He was thinking too much. We too make our mistake when we think we can control the sword of the Spirit to do what we want. The greatest power is realized when we give up control and allow the Spirit to have dominion in our life.
First, let me ask your forgiveness for the crassness of some of the following words. I read over this passage in my Bible study and the following are the thoughts that came through my mind. I felt that I needed to share it. Even though the first point may involve improper subject matter, I hope it still makes the concept real to your life.
1.) “Gird your loins with truth”
I’m really not 100% sure what “loins” are, but I guess because they rhyme, I’ve always thought it had something to do with groin. And because I’m trying to draw a specific analogy, I’m not going to research it but rather just go with it. If loin really is similar to groin, then this makes sense whey it is first. Everyone knows that the quickest way to disable a man is to dismantle the groin. Every man instinctively protects the goods first and foremost. If we take a blow to this area, we are immediately at a disadvantage.
Similarly, truth is foundational. If we take a blow to what we perceive as truth, then we are immediately weakened. For this reason, truth is one of the first things to be attacked. In fact, we live in a culture that tells us there is no absolute truth. It is as if we are the victims up continuous crotch shots. Obviously, this is not a pretty picture in many ways. Perhaps, this is why we are instructed to gird our loins with truth first. Know the truth. Understand the truth. It will become like a cup that blocks the blows of the enemy and gives you confidence to “stand strong” as instructed in the previous verse. (Ephesians 6:13-14)
2.) “Put on the breastplate of righteousness”
The breastplate protected the chest and major organs. It is the primary target when trying to make an efficient strike. It is the largest area mass and is relatively still and unchanging during movement. If someone threatens your life and you are forced to shoot them, aim “center mass.”
Our righteousness is given to us at the moment of salvation when we are “made right” in God’s eyes. There are several things to say about this. First, our righteousness is given by God and sealed by the presence of God in our hearts which, of course, lies in our chest. You may feel this is being too literal but I’m reminded of the Christian hip-hopper who chanted “God’s in my chest” and of Toby Mac who sang “put an X on my chest ‘cause X marks the spot.” This will also be an area which will receive many blows. We all know that “no one is perfect.” Because of this, many will say no one is righteous. I would have to agree were it not for the fact that this righteousness is not our own. The Bible tells us that our (self) righteousness is but filthy rags in the eyes of God. (Isaiah 64:6) The only righteousness that ca be acceptable to God is His righteousness which is present where He abides. It is, therefore, unchanging and a foundational characteristic which will try to be undermined in order to bring you down. Satan will remind you of all your sins and constantly attack you at your most vulnerable points to keep your attention on your unworthiness instead of on His righteousness. It can be argued that this is the “joy of (our) salvation.” (Psalm 51:12) The joy of his salvation is what David lost when he fell down the spiral staircase of sin beginning with his lust for Bathsheba.
3.) “shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace”
I admit this is one of my least insightful pieces of armor, which I fear may betray some need of mine. I will commit to praying for this issue and making needed changes. My first thoughts got to the rocky terrain I grew on. We were true backwoods country folk, and many considered it a shame to wear shoes. My dad would almost always go barefoot. I, on the other hand, never appreciated the idea of walking on sharp rocks and “stickers” without some protection. After all, we had bought the shoes, correct?! Why not use them for what they were intended for? Besides, I was the younger brother. There was never any telling when I would need to run from the dangers of my older brother. My shoes gave me an advantage.
Have you ever seen a Christian dancing around an issue? Perhaps that was because he had not put on his spiritual armor footwear. Scripture tells us Satan will lay open traps before our feet. Verse 13 gives the main reason for spiritual armor is to be able to “stand firm” in the evil day. It’s hard to stand at all when your feet are all messed up, much less stand firm or even move out on the offensive.
4.) “take up the shield of faith”
Obviously, the shield was a broad object that deflected the offensive weapons of the enemy before they could reach the soldier. For one who has faith, the weapons of the enemy can seem quite trivial. Flaming arrows and darts may come our way, but our faith is settled. Such faith is not a way of passively ignoring valid arguments, but rather a rational cognitive understand of the end result. Most shields were made of wood, so therefore, some sturdy well aimed arrows may have stuck into the wood. Faith actually absorbs the broad range of criticisms and shows their ultimate impotence.
Shields could also be used for offense. If you remember a scene from “Gladiator,” Maximus uses his shield to neutralize a combatant in the arena. One’s true faith may be the evidence another needs to realize the possible futility of Satan’s arsenal.
5.) “take the helmet of salvation”
As mentioned earlier, salvation is more of a heart issue than a head issue, so I wary to make any such connection. I think it is more a severity issue. The head is our most vulnerable area. A point could be said that as long as one has salvation, then let come what may! A soldier can possibly take a wound to the chest and still be able to act. But a trauma to the head could take him out of the fight completely. Perhaps the head is the most important body area discussed. Definitely, salvation sits above the other attributes and is vital for the others to have any significance.
6.) “(take) the sword of the Spirit”
Much attention is given to the idea that the sword is the only offensive weapon listed, and there is much validity to it. When Christ was being attacked by Satan, Christ used the Word of God to combat him. But what are the characteristics of a sword that may give us further insight? I’ve always loved swords and sword play. It’s almost as if there is pageantry in the aggressiveness. The swordsman practices with his sword regularly to the point where the sword almost becomes an extension of his body. Many older cultures considered the sword of the warrior as a symbol of the spirit of the fighter, and it became an identity.
Herein, lays some analogies we can work with. How great a shame it is that we have no practice with our “sword!” There are even some who are unaware that they have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside them. How are we ever to be victorious in spiritual warfare if we have no idea how to wield the sword of the Spirit? We must spend time every day to hone our skills in using this powerful weapon to the point that He becomes an identifying prominent part of us. However, let us always remember whose power it is! It is the “sword of the Spirit” and not our sword. The power is God’s. When we claim our own skill base sufficient to handle this great power, we will quickly realize that we are grossly unprepared on our own. The Spirit is the only One who can brandish this weapon as needed. I am reminded of the movie “The Last Samurai.” The main character keeps failing miserably at learning how to sword fight. His greatest piece of advise comes to him in the words “too many mind.” He was thinking too much. We too make our mistake when we think we can control the sword of the Spirit to do what we want. The greatest power is realized when we give up control and allow the Spirit to have dominion in our life.
A Very "Powerful" Verse
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” (Ephesians 6:10)
A word for power is used three times in this short verse. This is what we call a very powerful verse! A quarter of the words are synonyms for power. The first is a command for us to be strong. The understood subject of a command is “you.” Therefore, it is a call for us personally to be strong. Christianity is not passive! It is indeed a dynamic relationship with God, Satan, and our fellow man.
However, the other two uses of power belong to the “Lord.” That’s right. Even though you have been commanded to be strong, God’s power is greater and at work in a much more prevalent degree. In fact, the verse doesn’t just say God is strong. It matches our “strength” and raises, the bar to “might.” It is true that we must be actively strong; but we must, at the same time, realize and rely on the stronger, more prevalent might of the Lord to see us through. In fact, upon closer inspection, we notice that our active and dynamic strength is “in the Lord.” “With man nothing is possible, but with God all things are possible.” “Praise be to God through Whom all blessings flow.” “You are my rock and fortress…” (Matthew 19:26; Psalm 18:2)
So, is Christianity active or passive? Maybe both. Some people scream and shout about all the things you have to do. Others are equally passionate about letting God have complete control over your life. I believe both are on the right track. We are commanded to be actively, dynamically strong. But we must make sure that we keep God Almighty on the throne. If not, we try to overthrow the Kingdom of God by our own might. However, in refusing God’s strength, we find that we have none.
A word for power is used three times in this short verse. This is what we call a very powerful verse! A quarter of the words are synonyms for power. The first is a command for us to be strong. The understood subject of a command is “you.” Therefore, it is a call for us personally to be strong. Christianity is not passive! It is indeed a dynamic relationship with God, Satan, and our fellow man.
However, the other two uses of power belong to the “Lord.” That’s right. Even though you have been commanded to be strong, God’s power is greater and at work in a much more prevalent degree. In fact, the verse doesn’t just say God is strong. It matches our “strength” and raises, the bar to “might.” It is true that we must be actively strong; but we must, at the same time, realize and rely on the stronger, more prevalent might of the Lord to see us through. In fact, upon closer inspection, we notice that our active and dynamic strength is “in the Lord.” “With man nothing is possible, but with God all things are possible.” “Praise be to God through Whom all blessings flow.” “You are my rock and fortress…” (Matthew 19:26; Psalm 18:2)
So, is Christianity active or passive? Maybe both. Some people scream and shout about all the things you have to do. Others are equally passionate about letting God have complete control over your life. I believe both are on the right track. We are commanded to be actively, dynamically strong. But we must make sure that we keep God Almighty on the throne. If not, we try to overthrow the Kingdom of God by our own might. However, in refusing God’s strength, we find that we have none.
What's Up With All The Blood?!
We were talking at Bible study at church about the two main promises found in the Bible. Of course, the two promises are the Old Testament and the New Testament. Another word for promise is covenant and another word for covenant is testament. The Old and New Testaments are not just divisions of the Bible, but the reason the divisions are called such is because the books contained within pertain to the corresponding promise. The old promise is that the sins of the people would be atoned by the blood sacrifice of animals performed by the high priests. The new promise is that our sins have been atoned for by the blood sacrifice of Christ given freely as a gift.
The discussion was asking the question, “How could faith in Christ have saved the saints of the Old Testament when they had the sacrifice system and Christ had not yet come?” (Hebrews 3:1-14; 8:8-12; 9:13-15, 19-20; 11:1-2, 8-11, 17) The Bible makes it clear that the Law can only show us our faults and therefore condemn us. The Bible also tells us that only faith in Christ can save us from our sins. So why even institute the animal sacrifice? On top of that, why should Jesus come to earth to die? What is this about blood sacrifice? And Jesus wasn’t just a human, so His death isn’t that drastic considering that He is still alive since He was also fully God and man. Or so it seems. I’ve always had a lot of questions about this. I have been a Christian since I was in kindergarten, and I have been taught the doctrines of the church and theology ever since. I understand that the Old Testament provision was a picture of the provision made possible in Christ. However, I’ve still had troubles with why it had to be this way. I admit that I still don’t understand it all, but it was made strikingly clearer tonight.
It all began when someone said that they always thought of the original blood sacrifice (when God killed the lamb to provide clothing for Adam and Eve’s newly discovered nakedness) as if God took the lamb and almost “tore it open” right before their eyes to show them the gruesomeness of sin. This is a commonly known illustration about the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament. The sacrifices are an obviously gruesome act of which blood is poured over an alter. This is not just an act to be overly harsh to animals as it would appear at first. God is not a god who finds it amusing to abuse animals. Truly this God is the God who created all animals, even before He created humans. No; the Bible says that He sees every sparrow that falls from the sky. Now that is attention! Even the most avid PETA supporter can’t say that. So why then is the animal sacrifice so gruesome? Because God is trying to help us realize how gruesome and deadly sin is to our lives and our relationship with our Father.
Obviously, as just discussed, the animal sacrifices were gruesome. Sin is just as gruesome, if not more. Then, I thought about what the person in class had said God figuratively ripping the lamb apart to clothe Adam and Eve’s nakedness. Then, I think about the Bible passages that talk about the Church being a body of which Christ is the head. (1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Colossians 1:15-20) Sin separates us from God. That is why we live in a fallen world of pain and suffering; because our sin has created a chasm between and holy, perfect God. So, if we are one body, the blood sacrifice could definitely symbolize the “broken” relationship between us and our “Head”; much like the imagined tearing of the lamb in front of Adam and Eve. Hence, the blood sacrifice. Because of the tearing caused by sin which “separates” us from God, “blood” is spilt from the “body.” Blood is the life source of the body. If the body loses too much blood, it will die. Therefore, a blood transfusion is needed.
So why Christ’s blood? Well, the blood had been ripped out and to stop the cycle of violence (evil), blood needs to be poured back in willingly. God couldn’t ask Adam or Eve to give their blood, because they were the ones bleeding (#1) and because to do so would mean God would lose them (#2) to death. Only Christ’s relationship with God was perfect and not already bleeding. Plus, for Him to give His life isn’t ultimately as tragic because His earthly body was only a clay temple for the eternal “God the Son.” God didn’t lose anyone to death.
PLEASE, don’t get me wrong!!! I am in NO way trying to trivialize the death of Christ on the cross. If the death of an innocent, spotless lamb was tragic; then how much more tragic was the death of the innocent, sinless Lamb of God. He didn’t just have his throat cut; he was mutilated, even to the point of where the on-lookers at Calvary couldn’t tell if He was a man or woman! That is serious mutilation!! Besides that, to add insult to injury, He had to endure a life of resisting temptations and the backstabbing of people around Him. And He did it all for me. And He did it all for you. This gives a new meaning to when Jesus says “I am the Life.” Because life is found the blood, our life is found in His blood.
So, why not just bandage the wound created by the separating and tearing of sin? Why the transfusion? Well, blood had been spilt. God is a just God. Where blood had been lost, blood had to be replaced. Besides, just a quick look at medicine will tell us that transfusions are needed when a large amount of blood is lost. If you remember, the Bible says that Christ is our head. I’m pretty sure that means a lot of blood loss. And on top of that, even to bandage the wound would cause an ugly scar to remain. However, God tells us that all old things are passed away, and behold all things have become new. So why not just bandage the wound? Well, we need new blood. But glory hallelujah, there will be one day when we will receive new bodies!!! Perfect, redeemed bodies will no lacerations or scars. Our relationship with our Father will be restored and the Head will be perfectly joined with the body. Oh, how we wait for the “redemption of our bodies!” (Romans 8:23)
The discussion was asking the question, “How could faith in Christ have saved the saints of the Old Testament when they had the sacrifice system and Christ had not yet come?” (Hebrews 3:1-14; 8:8-12; 9:13-15, 19-20; 11:1-2, 8-11, 17) The Bible makes it clear that the Law can only show us our faults and therefore condemn us. The Bible also tells us that only faith in Christ can save us from our sins. So why even institute the animal sacrifice? On top of that, why should Jesus come to earth to die? What is this about blood sacrifice? And Jesus wasn’t just a human, so His death isn’t that drastic considering that He is still alive since He was also fully God and man. Or so it seems. I’ve always had a lot of questions about this. I have been a Christian since I was in kindergarten, and I have been taught the doctrines of the church and theology ever since. I understand that the Old Testament provision was a picture of the provision made possible in Christ. However, I’ve still had troubles with why it had to be this way. I admit that I still don’t understand it all, but it was made strikingly clearer tonight.
It all began when someone said that they always thought of the original blood sacrifice (when God killed the lamb to provide clothing for Adam and Eve’s newly discovered nakedness) as if God took the lamb and almost “tore it open” right before their eyes to show them the gruesomeness of sin. This is a commonly known illustration about the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament. The sacrifices are an obviously gruesome act of which blood is poured over an alter. This is not just an act to be overly harsh to animals as it would appear at first. God is not a god who finds it amusing to abuse animals. Truly this God is the God who created all animals, even before He created humans. No; the Bible says that He sees every sparrow that falls from the sky. Now that is attention! Even the most avid PETA supporter can’t say that. So why then is the animal sacrifice so gruesome? Because God is trying to help us realize how gruesome and deadly sin is to our lives and our relationship with our Father.
Obviously, as just discussed, the animal sacrifices were gruesome. Sin is just as gruesome, if not more. Then, I thought about what the person in class had said God figuratively ripping the lamb apart to clothe Adam and Eve’s nakedness. Then, I think about the Bible passages that talk about the Church being a body of which Christ is the head. (1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Colossians 1:15-20) Sin separates us from God. That is why we live in a fallen world of pain and suffering; because our sin has created a chasm between and holy, perfect God. So, if we are one body, the blood sacrifice could definitely symbolize the “broken” relationship between us and our “Head”; much like the imagined tearing of the lamb in front of Adam and Eve. Hence, the blood sacrifice. Because of the tearing caused by sin which “separates” us from God, “blood” is spilt from the “body.” Blood is the life source of the body. If the body loses too much blood, it will die. Therefore, a blood transfusion is needed.
So why Christ’s blood? Well, the blood had been ripped out and to stop the cycle of violence (evil), blood needs to be poured back in willingly. God couldn’t ask Adam or Eve to give their blood, because they were the ones bleeding (#1) and because to do so would mean God would lose them (#2) to death. Only Christ’s relationship with God was perfect and not already bleeding. Plus, for Him to give His life isn’t ultimately as tragic because His earthly body was only a clay temple for the eternal “God the Son.” God didn’t lose anyone to death.
PLEASE, don’t get me wrong!!! I am in NO way trying to trivialize the death of Christ on the cross. If the death of an innocent, spotless lamb was tragic; then how much more tragic was the death of the innocent, sinless Lamb of God. He didn’t just have his throat cut; he was mutilated, even to the point of where the on-lookers at Calvary couldn’t tell if He was a man or woman! That is serious mutilation!! Besides that, to add insult to injury, He had to endure a life of resisting temptations and the backstabbing of people around Him. And He did it all for me. And He did it all for you. This gives a new meaning to when Jesus says “I am the Life.” Because life is found the blood, our life is found in His blood.
So, why not just bandage the wound created by the separating and tearing of sin? Why the transfusion? Well, blood had been spilt. God is a just God. Where blood had been lost, blood had to be replaced. Besides, just a quick look at medicine will tell us that transfusions are needed when a large amount of blood is lost. If you remember, the Bible says that Christ is our head. I’m pretty sure that means a lot of blood loss. And on top of that, even to bandage the wound would cause an ugly scar to remain. However, God tells us that all old things are passed away, and behold all things have become new. So why not just bandage the wound? Well, we need new blood. But glory hallelujah, there will be one day when we will receive new bodies!!! Perfect, redeemed bodies will no lacerations or scars. Our relationship with our Father will be restored and the Head will be perfectly joined with the body. Oh, how we wait for the “redemption of our bodies!” (Romans 8:23)
Love is Lunar-cy
Love Is Lunar-cy
The moon is used many times with romance. But why is it considered romantic? Can it be possible that the moon is a great analogy of what our mate should be? Here are some ideas:
- The moon may not light the entire world but it lights up your world.
- If the moon is good, one would think the sun to be a better description of a mate. Well, let’s think about it. The sun better describes God. The best reason I can give for this is a saying that goes “I believe in God much like I believe in the sun. Not so much that I can always see it, but by it, I see everything else.”
- The moon carries many similarities but not to the existent of the sun. It’s like a miniature shining example of the sun.
- The sun is the actual light of life and the world. It provides the substances we need for life. The sun always takes precedence. The moon, in contrast, has no light in itself yet it reflects the sun. Hallelujah for ladies who reflect the Son.
- Dare to stand in the light of the sun and you will get burnt. However, you can enjoy the light of the moon all you want.
- The moon may not be as important as the sun, but you can’t live without it.
- It’s true that the sun lights our way, but if we stay in its light we will be overcome by its power. The moon, however, acts as our sun in the dark, and we can enjoy its light all night until the Son comes again.
- Nights of the new moon are the darkest because the moon does not shine. Staying with the analogy, this could either be because your mate just doesn’t reflect God, she’s physically distant, or she has lost trust in you. Surely these are indeed the darkest nights.
Ok, so those are some of my ideas. If you have any other analogies or ideas, please feel free to share.
The moon is used many times with romance. But why is it considered romantic? Can it be possible that the moon is a great analogy of what our mate should be? Here are some ideas:
- The moon may not light the entire world but it lights up your world.
- If the moon is good, one would think the sun to be a better description of a mate. Well, let’s think about it. The sun better describes God. The best reason I can give for this is a saying that goes “I believe in God much like I believe in the sun. Not so much that I can always see it, but by it, I see everything else.”
- The moon carries many similarities but not to the existent of the sun. It’s like a miniature shining example of the sun.
- The sun is the actual light of life and the world. It provides the substances we need for life. The sun always takes precedence. The moon, in contrast, has no light in itself yet it reflects the sun. Hallelujah for ladies who reflect the Son.
- Dare to stand in the light of the sun and you will get burnt. However, you can enjoy the light of the moon all you want.
- The moon may not be as important as the sun, but you can’t live without it.
- It’s true that the sun lights our way, but if we stay in its light we will be overcome by its power. The moon, however, acts as our sun in the dark, and we can enjoy its light all night until the Son comes again.
- Nights of the new moon are the darkest because the moon does not shine. Staying with the analogy, this could either be because your mate just doesn’t reflect God, she’s physically distant, or she has lost trust in you. Surely these are indeed the darkest nights.
Ok, so those are some of my ideas. If you have any other analogies or ideas, please feel free to share.
A Banana Buyer's Guide to Salvation
(The following dialogue is to read comically and with plenty of sarcasm. It is not the main point of this writing, so get confused when it makes no sense. It is only here to make us think logically about the proceeding argument. The dialogue presumes that you are in grocery store buying bananas.)
What if I were to ask you if you were buying bananas? Your answer: “Well, yes I am.”
Then what if I asked you, “If we were to ask anyone randomly walking down this isle if you are buying bananas or grapes, what would thy say?” Your answer: “Bananas.”
My next question: “Why?” “Because these are BANANAS and I’m BUYING them! How many times do I have to say BANANAS?!”
This is an absurd dialogue, and we would probably all call the interrogator an idiot for obviously missing the obvious! However, this closely reflects the conversations we have many times when inquiring about one’s salvation (what we call “witnessing”). But in our experiences, it is the buyer who is missing the obvious. What is it about the preceding dialogue that makes it so absurd? The questioner keeps looking for proof of the existence of bananas when they are right in front of his face. The buyer’s ultimate response revolves around the fact that the long, yellow fruit he/she is holding is in face a banana. That fact is hard to ignore as he/she references it several times. In fact, no matter how absurd the interrogator becomes the buyer always refers back to the bananas.
Now contrary to what you may be thinking right now, I am not trying to build an argument for the existence of God. Instead, I’m trying to make us think about the reasons we give for the existence of our salvation. A common series of questions used to determine if one is saved goes like this: are you saved, if you died right now would you go to Heaven or Hell, and why? Hopefully (…and in the Bible Belt, usually…) the answers to the first two questions are “yes” and “Heaven”, respectively. But then comes the biggest of all questions, “why”. The usual response goes something like, “Well, I’m a good person”; or “I’m not as bad as some people”; or “I go to church…sometimes”; etc. But do these explanations make any sense? The buyer’s answers revolved around and were rooted in the fact of the presence of bananas. When asked why, he/she came right back to the bananas. However, in the arguments for salvation, we turn away form the “banana” argument and, in effect, show ourselves to be bananas. We start off confirming the spiritual and power of God (i.e. salvation, Heaven) which are all made possible through the presence of God. But to answer the question why, we leave God behind and start tooting our own horn (i.e. I’m good, I’m better, I go to church)! When the banana buyer was asked why, he/she pointed right back to the presence of the bananas. When we are asked why we are saved, we start grasping at straws, so to speak. Is not the logical thing to do is point right back to the presence of God?!!
Then why don’t we? Simple. The banana buyer was totally, completely convinced that there were bananas in his/her shopping cart. He/she had sought them out, picked them, and put them there. His/her purpose for coming to the grocery store was fulfilled in their purchase. We, however, don’t have God’s presence in us without salvation. Therefore, we start grasping at straws and reach out for the only thing we have if we have not God…ourselves. We start singing our own praise, even though earlier in the day we were fussing at ourselves for something stupid we had done. The answer to such questions MUST MUST MUST come back to Christ. We MUST understand what it is to have God seek you out, pick you, and put you in His hand. Just a rehearsed answer without God’s presence won’t do. In such a case, the banana interrogator would have only asked “What bananas? There are none here.” When you’re in the presence of God, you’ll realize the fulfilled purpose of your trip.
What if I were to ask you if you were buying bananas? Your answer: “Well, yes I am.”
Then what if I asked you, “If we were to ask anyone randomly walking down this isle if you are buying bananas or grapes, what would thy say?” Your answer: “Bananas.”
My next question: “Why?” “Because these are BANANAS and I’m BUYING them! How many times do I have to say BANANAS?!”
This is an absurd dialogue, and we would probably all call the interrogator an idiot for obviously missing the obvious! However, this closely reflects the conversations we have many times when inquiring about one’s salvation (what we call “witnessing”). But in our experiences, it is the buyer who is missing the obvious. What is it about the preceding dialogue that makes it so absurd? The questioner keeps looking for proof of the existence of bananas when they are right in front of his face. The buyer’s ultimate response revolves around the fact that the long, yellow fruit he/she is holding is in face a banana. That fact is hard to ignore as he/she references it several times. In fact, no matter how absurd the interrogator becomes the buyer always refers back to the bananas.
Now contrary to what you may be thinking right now, I am not trying to build an argument for the existence of God. Instead, I’m trying to make us think about the reasons we give for the existence of our salvation. A common series of questions used to determine if one is saved goes like this: are you saved, if you died right now would you go to Heaven or Hell, and why? Hopefully (…and in the Bible Belt, usually…) the answers to the first two questions are “yes” and “Heaven”, respectively. But then comes the biggest of all questions, “why”. The usual response goes something like, “Well, I’m a good person”; or “I’m not as bad as some people”; or “I go to church…sometimes”; etc. But do these explanations make any sense? The buyer’s answers revolved around and were rooted in the fact of the presence of bananas. When asked why, he/she came right back to the bananas. However, in the arguments for salvation, we turn away form the “banana” argument and, in effect, show ourselves to be bananas. We start off confirming the spiritual and power of God (i.e. salvation, Heaven) which are all made possible through the presence of God. But to answer the question why, we leave God behind and start tooting our own horn (i.e. I’m good, I’m better, I go to church)! When the banana buyer was asked why, he/she pointed right back to the presence of the bananas. When we are asked why we are saved, we start grasping at straws, so to speak. Is not the logical thing to do is point right back to the presence of God?!!
Then why don’t we? Simple. The banana buyer was totally, completely convinced that there were bananas in his/her shopping cart. He/she had sought them out, picked them, and put them there. His/her purpose for coming to the grocery store was fulfilled in their purchase. We, however, don’t have God’s presence in us without salvation. Therefore, we start grasping at straws and reach out for the only thing we have if we have not God…ourselves. We start singing our own praise, even though earlier in the day we were fussing at ourselves for something stupid we had done. The answer to such questions MUST MUST MUST come back to Christ. We MUST understand what it is to have God seek you out, pick you, and put you in His hand. Just a rehearsed answer without God’s presence won’t do. In such a case, the banana interrogator would have only asked “What bananas? There are none here.” When you’re in the presence of God, you’ll realize the fulfilled purpose of your trip.
When I am God
[I was having a hard time falling asleep the other night. As I was lying in my bed, I kept thinking about a line in a song that has come to be a new favorite. (For those who know me, I usually have some song stuck in my head.) That led to thinking of another song that has become a new favorite of mine. The following is the resulting brainstorm that followed. The two songs happen to both be metal and have great videos. You can check out the videos on tvulive.com and read the lyrics on christianrocklyrics.com.]
“When I am God this church is unsound.”
Oh, Sleeper
“Vices Like Vipers”
“We have all heard what we wanted to hear ‘Truth’ that sounds right to our ears.”
As I Lay Dying
“The Sound of Truth”
Common reaction is awe that anyone should think of themselves as God. This reaction is rightly so, but quite hypocritical. Really, we do it all the time; any time we decide to do things our way instead of God’s. Man ultimately wants to become God. It has been said that humanism is the second oldest religion in the world, and I would agree. Malcolm Muggeridge said, “If God is dead, someone will have to take His place. Either megalomania or erotomania; the clinched fist or the phallus; Hitler or Hugh Hefner.” We’ve been given two choices from the very beginning. God promised utopia; Satan promised that we would be as gods (Genesis 1:26-3:7). It’s either God’s way or a humanistic way. [Let me plug an idea in here: Satan doesn’t have a way. He knows the only way is God’s way; so he can only divert us and send us on our way. John 14:6, Luke 10:18, Genesis 3:14-15, James 2:19, Revelation 12:9;20:10) To become gods isn’t hard. Anytime we deny God’s truth, we assert that ours is ultimate, making us gods. Anything apart from God alone is attempting to assert our bit of personal deity.
This happens a lot with apologetics. We argue topics and not truth. We fight over preferences which we enjoy, and maintain that we are correct. Everything MUST come back to the person of Christ. HE is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) If it doesn’t go through Him, it’s the wrong way, truth, and life. Plain and simple! In church, we preach relationship but teach doctrine. Both are essential but must not be separated. A good example of this is the fruit of the Spirit (it drives me nuts when people pluralize it). We teach the fruit(s) of the Spirit without teaching the Spirit “of” whom it comes.
It’s like living in a distant, barren land and coming to an area of fruit trees (we’ll say…apple trees). You are mesmerized by the beauty and apparent goodness of the fruit. So you pick an apple and return to your distant, barren land. You eat the apple and sincerely thank God for its goodness, substance, and nourishment. You wake up the next day and remember how sweet that fruit from the day before was. You long for that blessing again. But there is no more fruit. You only picked one, and now it’s gone. Even if you had brought back a whole cluster of fruit, half of it would be wasted because we usually put it on the shelf and neglect it.
Now, go back to the land of plenty, and this time instead of picking the fruit, take the tree. Then, you get to enjoy the fruit today and tomorrow. And Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8); which means the Tree is always loaded with fruit. Plus, don’t just eat the fruit and throw the seed away. Keep the seed, plant it in your “soul” (I know. That was super corny. Sorry.), and watch it grow (via Bible study, Godly fellowship, testing, etc.). Now suddenly, what do you have? Not only is there a tree from which you can enjoy; but now there has grown an orchard in this once barren land, from which many others can come and find substance. The tree is the ultimate source. The “tree of life” in the garden, if you will. We neglected the original and chose the fruit. In essence, we neglected God and choose ourselves. No matter how good the fruit may be, without the Spirit, it is only a rotting flower.
“When I am God this church is unsound.”
Oh, Sleeper
“Vices Like Vipers”
“We have all heard what we wanted to hear ‘Truth’ that sounds right to our ears.”
As I Lay Dying
“The Sound of Truth”
Common reaction is awe that anyone should think of themselves as God. This reaction is rightly so, but quite hypocritical. Really, we do it all the time; any time we decide to do things our way instead of God’s. Man ultimately wants to become God. It has been said that humanism is the second oldest religion in the world, and I would agree. Malcolm Muggeridge said, “If God is dead, someone will have to take His place. Either megalomania or erotomania; the clinched fist or the phallus; Hitler or Hugh Hefner.” We’ve been given two choices from the very beginning. God promised utopia; Satan promised that we would be as gods (Genesis 1:26-3:7). It’s either God’s way or a humanistic way. [Let me plug an idea in here: Satan doesn’t have a way. He knows the only way is God’s way; so he can only divert us and send us on our way. John 14:6, Luke 10:18, Genesis 3:14-15, James 2:19, Revelation 12:9;20:10) To become gods isn’t hard. Anytime we deny God’s truth, we assert that ours is ultimate, making us gods. Anything apart from God alone is attempting to assert our bit of personal deity.
This happens a lot with apologetics. We argue topics and not truth. We fight over preferences which we enjoy, and maintain that we are correct. Everything MUST come back to the person of Christ. HE is the way, the truth, and the life. (John 14:6) If it doesn’t go through Him, it’s the wrong way, truth, and life. Plain and simple! In church, we preach relationship but teach doctrine. Both are essential but must not be separated. A good example of this is the fruit of the Spirit (it drives me nuts when people pluralize it). We teach the fruit(s) of the Spirit without teaching the Spirit “of” whom it comes.
It’s like living in a distant, barren land and coming to an area of fruit trees (we’ll say…apple trees). You are mesmerized by the beauty and apparent goodness of the fruit. So you pick an apple and return to your distant, barren land. You eat the apple and sincerely thank God for its goodness, substance, and nourishment. You wake up the next day and remember how sweet that fruit from the day before was. You long for that blessing again. But there is no more fruit. You only picked one, and now it’s gone. Even if you had brought back a whole cluster of fruit, half of it would be wasted because we usually put it on the shelf and neglect it.
Now, go back to the land of plenty, and this time instead of picking the fruit, take the tree. Then, you get to enjoy the fruit today and tomorrow. And Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8); which means the Tree is always loaded with fruit. Plus, don’t just eat the fruit and throw the seed away. Keep the seed, plant it in your “soul” (I know. That was super corny. Sorry.), and watch it grow (via Bible study, Godly fellowship, testing, etc.). Now suddenly, what do you have? Not only is there a tree from which you can enjoy; but now there has grown an orchard in this once barren land, from which many others can come and find substance. The tree is the ultimate source. The “tree of life” in the garden, if you will. We neglected the original and chose the fruit. In essence, we neglected God and choose ourselves. No matter how good the fruit may be, without the Spirit, it is only a rotting flower.
My Position Statement on Alcohol (of sorts)
I’ve been in the collegiate setting for going on 9 years. When I ask people why they drink alcohol, the number one reason they give me is “because it’s fun.” Really?! The act of drinking alcohol is fun? Drinking lemonade is fun, but no one centers a party solely around lemonade. So apparently, the “fun” factor is not the strongest factor. Perhaps, what is really fun is hanging out with friends. I do not drink alcohol, but I do have great times with friends. Most of the time, we just get together and act stupid and have fun until 3 or 4 a.m. We can do that and still never use alcohol.
Alcohol relaxes your inhibitions. That is why alcohol is involved in so much illegal activity. Normally, you wouldn’t hang out with such people or do such things with people; but because your inhibitions are relaxed, you do anyway. How crappy must your friends be if you need alcohol to have a good time with them!
Relaxation of inhibitions has become an enticingly erotic idea. We all have fantasies; and if we can do away with our conscience, we can have these fantasies fulfilled. Once again, is it a good idea to do anything against our good conscience? What is it people say about serial killers: “They don’t have a conscience!” Besides, you are admitting that you are a loser if you can only attract people who are out of their minds.
Let’s get back to the whole “drinking alcohol is fun” idea. Most people will say that alcohol is an acquired taste. Once again; drinking lemonade is fun but I knew that from the first sip. Now, there are some things which require an acquired taste. For example, I have been on a couple of international mission trips. Sometimes, the native foods are absolutely horrid. However, I must acquire a taste for those foods in order to build relationships with those people. Now, you may be thinking that this is the same thing as acquiring a taste for alcohol in order to fit in with the crowd. However, things done on the mission field are for the edifying of the people. Alcohol, on the other hand, rarely brings out the best in someone. Besides, what if I told you that there is a pile of feces; and if you eat it and learn to love it, you can hang out with my group. You would have to SERIOUSLY consider whether the benefits of doing so would outweigh the costs.
What about drinking to drown your sorrows? Well, this is a flawed question. It assumes that drinking alcohol will drown your sorrows. In a dire situation, a rule of thumb to remember is to “do no further harm.” Don’t make the situation worse! When you are in a troubled situation, it is NOT time to lose your mind. If you relax your inhibitions and do something you’ll regret later, then you are only compounding your problems. If you find yourself in sorrow, the best thing to do is look for hope and run to it. As I have stated in other notes, the only hope is Christ. Only in Christ, has a way been made for us despite our troubles, imperfections, and sins. All other ways ask us to improve ourselves and become something we have tried all of our lives only to be unsuccessful every time. If the thing we have been trying has not worked, then we need to find something else. Christ is our only hope. He offers it as a gift. The only thing you need to do is accept it.
Now, I know that not all these points apply to everyone. And you may be able to argue with me on some points. However, if I’ve gotten you to think, then I’ve done some good. THINK! Don’t take your brain out of the equation. Use your brain instead of drowning it. At least by thinking, you become more human.
Alcohol relaxes your inhibitions. That is why alcohol is involved in so much illegal activity. Normally, you wouldn’t hang out with such people or do such things with people; but because your inhibitions are relaxed, you do anyway. How crappy must your friends be if you need alcohol to have a good time with them!
Relaxation of inhibitions has become an enticingly erotic idea. We all have fantasies; and if we can do away with our conscience, we can have these fantasies fulfilled. Once again, is it a good idea to do anything against our good conscience? What is it people say about serial killers: “They don’t have a conscience!” Besides, you are admitting that you are a loser if you can only attract people who are out of their minds.
Let’s get back to the whole “drinking alcohol is fun” idea. Most people will say that alcohol is an acquired taste. Once again; drinking lemonade is fun but I knew that from the first sip. Now, there are some things which require an acquired taste. For example, I have been on a couple of international mission trips. Sometimes, the native foods are absolutely horrid. However, I must acquire a taste for those foods in order to build relationships with those people. Now, you may be thinking that this is the same thing as acquiring a taste for alcohol in order to fit in with the crowd. However, things done on the mission field are for the edifying of the people. Alcohol, on the other hand, rarely brings out the best in someone. Besides, what if I told you that there is a pile of feces; and if you eat it and learn to love it, you can hang out with my group. You would have to SERIOUSLY consider whether the benefits of doing so would outweigh the costs.
What about drinking to drown your sorrows? Well, this is a flawed question. It assumes that drinking alcohol will drown your sorrows. In a dire situation, a rule of thumb to remember is to “do no further harm.” Don’t make the situation worse! When you are in a troubled situation, it is NOT time to lose your mind. If you relax your inhibitions and do something you’ll regret later, then you are only compounding your problems. If you find yourself in sorrow, the best thing to do is look for hope and run to it. As I have stated in other notes, the only hope is Christ. Only in Christ, has a way been made for us despite our troubles, imperfections, and sins. All other ways ask us to improve ourselves and become something we have tried all of our lives only to be unsuccessful every time. If the thing we have been trying has not worked, then we need to find something else. Christ is our only hope. He offers it as a gift. The only thing you need to do is accept it.
Now, I know that not all these points apply to everyone. And you may be able to argue with me on some points. However, if I’ve gotten you to think, then I’ve done some good. THINK! Don’t take your brain out of the equation. Use your brain instead of drowning it. At least by thinking, you become more human.
Thoughts About the Resurrection
-“Why seek you the living among the dead?”
*God is the giver of life (Gen. 2:7), creator of all living things (Gen. 1:1), and sustainer of a fulfilling life (John 10:10). God is an eternal being, so therefore He will always be “living.”
*Man and natural exists, and we call this existence life. Without God, this existence would never be; and without God, we can never be a purposeful, fulfilled life. Our bodies, plants, and animals are destined to die.
*When everything else dies, God still lives. So, why do we seek the “living” God among the “dead” world?”
-Surely the disciples thought they had been fooled. They believed in a man who was going to establish His kingdom. They believed in a God would send His Son. They believed in a God who was all-powerful. Yet, they just saw Him die. What kind of heavenly offspring was this? There was no kingdom. This Jewish Messiah couldn’t even overcome a crowd of Jewish “jurors.” This Messiah had fallen victim to same machine that had thwarted them all for years. However, what hope/excitement/anticipation when they saw the tomb was empty! Oh, how their hearts must have leaped when the angel said, “Why seek you the LIVING”! How their tongues must have failed them when they saw Him for the first time! Their faith, hope, and perseverance produced the greatest joy of their lives. Let the same be true for us. Romans 5:3-8
-“Seek the truth will all your heart.” The Holy Spirit dwells in our heart. Therefore, when we seek the truth with all our heart, we sort of allow the Spirit to work at home.
-When Christ showed himself after His death, the people were afraid. It is not natural for someone to return from the dead. They were confused. They had to be taught by the SUPERnatural.
-Christ did what we cannot. We are human and no one’s perfect. Christ was human and “tempted in all ways as we are, YET without sin.” He did what we cannot. Since He did what we cannot, He has what we do not. Since He has what we do not, we need what He has. But how do we get it? Here lies the beauty of Christ being both human and God. God tells us that “without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.” The human side of Christ DIED! Christ shed the body of the perfect human. Christ does not need it, and since we do, He offers it to us. I’m not talking about some “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” junk; we don’t wear the body as a suit, we mask our imperfect humanity with the perfect human of Christ. And since Christ is just as much God, we still have a perfect Christ with us everyday.
*God is the giver of life (Gen. 2:7), creator of all living things (Gen. 1:1), and sustainer of a fulfilling life (John 10:10). God is an eternal being, so therefore He will always be “living.”
*Man and natural exists, and we call this existence life. Without God, this existence would never be; and without God, we can never be a purposeful, fulfilled life. Our bodies, plants, and animals are destined to die.
*When everything else dies, God still lives. So, why do we seek the “living” God among the “dead” world?”
-Surely the disciples thought they had been fooled. They believed in a man who was going to establish His kingdom. They believed in a God would send His Son. They believed in a God who was all-powerful. Yet, they just saw Him die. What kind of heavenly offspring was this? There was no kingdom. This Jewish Messiah couldn’t even overcome a crowd of Jewish “jurors.” This Messiah had fallen victim to same machine that had thwarted them all for years. However, what hope/excitement/anticipation when they saw the tomb was empty! Oh, how their hearts must have leaped when the angel said, “Why seek you the LIVING”! How their tongues must have failed them when they saw Him for the first time! Their faith, hope, and perseverance produced the greatest joy of their lives. Let the same be true for us. Romans 5:3-8
-“Seek the truth will all your heart.” The Holy Spirit dwells in our heart. Therefore, when we seek the truth with all our heart, we sort of allow the Spirit to work at home.
-When Christ showed himself after His death, the people were afraid. It is not natural for someone to return from the dead. They were confused. They had to be taught by the SUPERnatural.
-Christ did what we cannot. We are human and no one’s perfect. Christ was human and “tempted in all ways as we are, YET without sin.” He did what we cannot. Since He did what we cannot, He has what we do not. Since He has what we do not, we need what He has. But how do we get it? Here lies the beauty of Christ being both human and God. God tells us that “without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin.” The human side of Christ DIED! Christ shed the body of the perfect human. Christ does not need it, and since we do, He offers it to us. I’m not talking about some “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” junk; we don’t wear the body as a suit, we mask our imperfect humanity with the perfect human of Christ. And since Christ is just as much God, we still have a perfect Christ with us everyday.
Da Light is Delight
Deuteronomy 30:10
“The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey His voice and keep the commands and laws written in this Book of Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.
“The Lord your God” = will delight in you when you are found humbled in between God’s majesty and mastership.
God’s delight in you is conditional on obedience AND repentance. Obedience alone is legalism and can be skin deep. Repentance is in the heart and soul. Can’t get much deeper than that! In fact, it is so deep that it is undetectable to others unless shown in actions. Now we are back to obedience.
“God[‘s]…delight in you” = could also be read as “God is the da light in you.”
If He isn’t, you may be guilty of legalism (if the light IS you). If there isn’t much of a light at all, then maybe you’re missing in action (obedience). Also, He should be the only sign of life in your life since you died in Christ. Be a living sacrifice, show God and not you. If God does not out-shine you, then God is not your God.
“The Lord your God will delight in you if you obey His voice and keep the commands and laws written in this Book of Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and soul.
“The Lord your God” = will delight in you when you are found humbled in between God’s majesty and mastership.
God’s delight in you is conditional on obedience AND repentance. Obedience alone is legalism and can be skin deep. Repentance is in the heart and soul. Can’t get much deeper than that! In fact, it is so deep that it is undetectable to others unless shown in actions. Now we are back to obedience.
“God[‘s]…delight in you” = could also be read as “God is the da light in you.”
If He isn’t, you may be guilty of legalism (if the light IS you). If there isn’t much of a light at all, then maybe you’re missing in action (obedience). Also, He should be the only sign of life in your life since you died in Christ. Be a living sacrifice, show God and not you. If God does not out-shine you, then God is not your God.
Clarification on "A Bridged Analogy"
Yeah, I know it's weird to comment on one's own post, but this is to clarify something. There have been questions about falling off the bridge. Here is the answer I gave, followed by a couple more ideas on the matter:
"There is NO falling. That is the beauty of it. We may regress, but we never fall. The bridge holds US up. We all fear of falling, but no one ever does. Falling is only a scary story some people tell to puff up their bravado or scare others to hold on more tightly (which, by the way, is to miss the point)."
Yes, I'm one of those "once saved, always saved" people. This is why: Salvation, although a choice by us, is the work of God; and "what God has joined together, let no man put asunder."
Here is where a natural analogy falls short of adequately depicting the full nature of God who is, in fact, supernatural. God created all things to portray His glory and to provide clues to who He is and of His nature. However, a finite world which is based on the laws of time and space can never fully express the glory of the One who transcends such things.
Maybe you read the post and thought, "what if the bridge breaks." Well, to ask such is to question the integrity of the bridge. This is not wise. In case you missed the analogy, the bridge is symbolic of Christ. Even in our daily walk, we walk in Christ (through Christ, via Christ; whatever). The integrity of Christ has been questioned many times but never tarnished. Besides, who are we as sinners to question the integrity of Holy God. Let this not be.
"There is NO falling. That is the beauty of it. We may regress, but we never fall. The bridge holds US up. We all fear of falling, but no one ever does. Falling is only a scary story some people tell to puff up their bravado or scare others to hold on more tightly (which, by the way, is to miss the point)."
Yes, I'm one of those "once saved, always saved" people. This is why: Salvation, although a choice by us, is the work of God; and "what God has joined together, let no man put asunder."
Here is where a natural analogy falls short of adequately depicting the full nature of God who is, in fact, supernatural. God created all things to portray His glory and to provide clues to who He is and of His nature. However, a finite world which is based on the laws of time and space can never fully express the glory of the One who transcends such things.
Maybe you read the post and thought, "what if the bridge breaks." Well, to ask such is to question the integrity of the bridge. This is not wise. In case you missed the analogy, the bridge is symbolic of Christ. Even in our daily walk, we walk in Christ (through Christ, via Christ; whatever). The integrity of Christ has been questioned many times but never tarnished. Besides, who are we as sinners to question the integrity of Holy God. Let this not be.
A Bridged Analogy
During Sunday School a couple of weeks ago, we were discussing Romans 10:9-10. Emily Brown brought up an analogy of salvation/the Christian life and a foggy canyon which has a rope bridge. I really like this analogy and have been thinking about it a lot. I think it can show several good truths. There is also a common evangelism strategy and how the bridge analogy works out with it.
Belief is acknowledging that there is, in fact, a bridge. One can deny the existence of the bridge all he/she wants, but this only leaves the person hopeless. Hopelessness is founded in the fact that this land is diseased, filled with hate, and disintegrating. One must also believe that there is another side to the canyon which is free from all turmoil, death, and destruction. The fog is so thick that you cannot see the other side. However, this is a widely accepted bridge. Others have used the bridge and no shrieks were heard to indicate that they plummeted. Echoes can be heard. The bridge is suspended to something in the fog. Now, one has to have faith. Faith causes one to act on his/her belief. Faith allows for the person to step onto the bridge and walk. The bridge is long and the fog is thick. Every step requires faith. Sometimes our faith may become weak, and the steps may become shorter and more difficult to take. Sometimes, we may backtrack. But the bridge holds steady. We are still supported by this bridge, and every step, no matter if forwards or backwards, assures us of this truth. What does this promised land look like? I do not know. I have yet to reach the end of this bridge. Only by faith do I continue; faith that is based on rational and natural evidence, but faith nonetheless.
Admit = Admit you cannot traverse the ravine without help.
Believe = Believe the bridge exists, believe there is another side, believe the bridge was built to give you a way over, believe it will support you,believe it is the only way to cross.
Commit = Commit to stepping out on the bridge one step at a time until youreach to other side.
Belief is acknowledging that there is, in fact, a bridge. One can deny the existence of the bridge all he/she wants, but this only leaves the person hopeless. Hopelessness is founded in the fact that this land is diseased, filled with hate, and disintegrating. One must also believe that there is another side to the canyon which is free from all turmoil, death, and destruction. The fog is so thick that you cannot see the other side. However, this is a widely accepted bridge. Others have used the bridge and no shrieks were heard to indicate that they plummeted. Echoes can be heard. The bridge is suspended to something in the fog. Now, one has to have faith. Faith causes one to act on his/her belief. Faith allows for the person to step onto the bridge and walk. The bridge is long and the fog is thick. Every step requires faith. Sometimes our faith may become weak, and the steps may become shorter and more difficult to take. Sometimes, we may backtrack. But the bridge holds steady. We are still supported by this bridge, and every step, no matter if forwards or backwards, assures us of this truth. What does this promised land look like? I do not know. I have yet to reach the end of this bridge. Only by faith do I continue; faith that is based on rational and natural evidence, but faith nonetheless.
Admit = Admit you cannot traverse the ravine without help.
Believe = Believe the bridge exists, believe there is another side, believe the bridge was built to give you a way over, believe it will support you,believe it is the only way to cross.
Commit = Commit to stepping out on the bridge one step at a time until youreach to other side.
A Rational Response to the Rational Response Squad
The following is a comment which I left on the ABC News Nightline website in response to the article "The Blasphemy Challenge." Feel free to check out the site in order to learn more of what all this is about.
I don't know if the two Rational Response Squad representatives are actually that scared for their lives or if it is just a genius ploy to invoke angered feelings toward "Christians." If they are justifiably concerned, this is a shame and blasphemy in its own right. Remember, Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with God. Therefore, many people who claim the title of Christian are not in fact Christians. In response to the Blasphemy Challenge, this is a natural outworking of atheistic thought. If one does not believe in God, he/she should not believe in hell. If there is not heaven or hell, then there is nothing to hope or fear. I have no problem with them doing this. I would not expect anything different. Us Christians are always pleading other Christians to be vocal and apparent in their faith. Why should we expect any less from non-Christians. I will, however, disagree with the Rational Response Squad. Former atheist Josh McDowell, states the definition of truth as found in the dictionary as "that which is the same or equal to the original." In order to find truth, one must go all the way to the original. If the original is not God, it must be some gas or molecule or whatever. No molecule can explain all the aspects of life. Truth must be rational as John MacArthur states in his book "Why One Way: Defending an Exclusive Claim in an Inclusive World." Therefore, one must be weary of falling into the trap of reading the title of this atheist group and assuming that all rational thought leads away from the existence of God. In fact, without the existence of God, there would be no foundation for rational thought because the original would not possess intelligence. I would suggest to the seeker of truth that he/she check out "Why I'm Not An Atheist" by Ravi Zacharias. Ravi Zacharias International Ministries is very animate about the rationality of God. For tons of great resources, check out www.rzim.org.
Much love and respect.
I don't know if the two Rational Response Squad representatives are actually that scared for their lives or if it is just a genius ploy to invoke angered feelings toward "Christians." If they are justifiably concerned, this is a shame and blasphemy in its own right. Remember, Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with God. Therefore, many people who claim the title of Christian are not in fact Christians. In response to the Blasphemy Challenge, this is a natural outworking of atheistic thought. If one does not believe in God, he/she should not believe in hell. If there is not heaven or hell, then there is nothing to hope or fear. I have no problem with them doing this. I would not expect anything different. Us Christians are always pleading other Christians to be vocal and apparent in their faith. Why should we expect any less from non-Christians. I will, however, disagree with the Rational Response Squad. Former atheist Josh McDowell, states the definition of truth as found in the dictionary as "that which is the same or equal to the original." In order to find truth, one must go all the way to the original. If the original is not God, it must be some gas or molecule or whatever. No molecule can explain all the aspects of life. Truth must be rational as John MacArthur states in his book "Why One Way: Defending an Exclusive Claim in an Inclusive World." Therefore, one must be weary of falling into the trap of reading the title of this atheist group and assuming that all rational thought leads away from the existence of God. In fact, without the existence of God, there would be no foundation for rational thought because the original would not possess intelligence. I would suggest to the seeker of truth that he/she check out "Why I'm Not An Atheist" by Ravi Zacharias. Ravi Zacharias International Ministries is very animate about the rationality of God. For tons of great resources, check out www.rzim.org.
Much love and respect.
5 Random Ideas
#1
“The simplification of anything is always astounding.” –G.K. Chesterton
If energy is neither created nor destroyed in nature, it must come from supernatural.
Things can be broken down so minutely that they are almost incomprehensible (e.i. I struggle with the area of chemistry because it’s hard for me to visualize such tiny particles interacting.) If the origination of anything is nearly incomprehensible, is it ludicrous to think that it leads to an incomprehensible God. A God that is not totally incomprehensible, however; for we can indeed follow a thing’s origination intellectually and rationally for a time through the thing’s own creations and influences. But ultimately there is no full comprehension of its intricacy or beginning.
#2
When sin came, God cursed the earth. Everything of the earth became cursed. Our bodies were made of clay. Clay is of the earth, thus we are cursed and will wither and die. However, God breathed the breath of life into us. God is not of the earth, and so His breath is not cursed. Our life will not wither and die. Our life is only trapped inside this cursed body made of clay and must be given back to God. However, when the body dies and returns to the earth, there is nothing for our breath to sustain. If it has not been returned to where it belongs (the breath of life, our life, given to God), it is “lost” forever.
#3
Why is our legal system so messed up? It is based on legalism! “Intent” is the big differentiating factor in many cases. Many times intent is the focus of the court proceedings. However, how can intent be proven? How can intent be quantified? How can intent be made tangible? God looks upon the heart! This is another proof that God is just and fair. We cannot look upon the heart. We are forced to judge actions.
#4
“Think outside the box.”
Particularly in college, we are prodded to think outside the box. This is an idea which I personally advocate. However, there must be boundaries within this philosophy. Here is my point.
The statement “think outside the box” assumes that there are two areas or perspectives: inside the box and outside the box. I encourage looking outside the box, but looking outside the box can never lead to living (or dwelling) outside the box. If we leave the foundation we have within the box and establish ourselves outside, we defeat the whole purpose. Think about it. If we are to constantly pursue enlightenment by thinking outside the box, and we become so distorted that we live outside the box, then there is nowhere else to look. The only place left to look in order to continue pursing intellect, is to look back inside the box. We now have proven ourselves to be stupid because we have found ourselves desiring to be in the place we started. If thinking outside the box leads to dwelling outside the box, we will eventually long to return to box or we will be stifled in any further pursuit of knowledge. Why not remain on the foundation we started on and look to the outside of the box in order to realize the validity of the box?!
#5
“There are two sides to the coin.”
This statement is also true. The world teaches us that there is no truth because there is always another perspective. The thing we must NEVER forget is that although there may be two sides to the coin, there is still only one coin.
“The simplification of anything is always astounding.” –G.K. Chesterton
If energy is neither created nor destroyed in nature, it must come from supernatural.
Things can be broken down so minutely that they are almost incomprehensible (e.i. I struggle with the area of chemistry because it’s hard for me to visualize such tiny particles interacting.) If the origination of anything is nearly incomprehensible, is it ludicrous to think that it leads to an incomprehensible God. A God that is not totally incomprehensible, however; for we can indeed follow a thing’s origination intellectually and rationally for a time through the thing’s own creations and influences. But ultimately there is no full comprehension of its intricacy or beginning.
#2
When sin came, God cursed the earth. Everything of the earth became cursed. Our bodies were made of clay. Clay is of the earth, thus we are cursed and will wither and die. However, God breathed the breath of life into us. God is not of the earth, and so His breath is not cursed. Our life will not wither and die. Our life is only trapped inside this cursed body made of clay and must be given back to God. However, when the body dies and returns to the earth, there is nothing for our breath to sustain. If it has not been returned to where it belongs (the breath of life, our life, given to God), it is “lost” forever.
#3
Why is our legal system so messed up? It is based on legalism! “Intent” is the big differentiating factor in many cases. Many times intent is the focus of the court proceedings. However, how can intent be proven? How can intent be quantified? How can intent be made tangible? God looks upon the heart! This is another proof that God is just and fair. We cannot look upon the heart. We are forced to judge actions.
#4
“Think outside the box.”
Particularly in college, we are prodded to think outside the box. This is an idea which I personally advocate. However, there must be boundaries within this philosophy. Here is my point.
The statement “think outside the box” assumes that there are two areas or perspectives: inside the box and outside the box. I encourage looking outside the box, but looking outside the box can never lead to living (or dwelling) outside the box. If we leave the foundation we have within the box and establish ourselves outside, we defeat the whole purpose. Think about it. If we are to constantly pursue enlightenment by thinking outside the box, and we become so distorted that we live outside the box, then there is nowhere else to look. The only place left to look in order to continue pursing intellect, is to look back inside the box. We now have proven ourselves to be stupid because we have found ourselves desiring to be in the place we started. If thinking outside the box leads to dwelling outside the box, we will eventually long to return to box or we will be stifled in any further pursuit of knowledge. Why not remain on the foundation we started on and look to the outside of the box in order to realize the validity of the box?!
#5
“There are two sides to the coin.”
This statement is also true. The world teaches us that there is no truth because there is always another perspective. The thing we must NEVER forget is that although there may be two sides to the coin, there is still only one coin.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
In Regards to 1 John
Starred quotes are from the introduction to 1 John as found in God's Game Plan, HCSB.
*"John wrote to assure the Christians in and around Ephesus that they were, indeed, true Christians with the assurance of eternal life."
= In Genesis, Satan claims "you will not surely die." Now, he claims we willnot surely live.
*"These false teachers denied that Christ was fully human. They kept his deity, but at the expense of his humanity. To them, salvation came by illumination. Thus, secret 'knowledge' was eagerly sought, often at the expense of apostolic doctrine."
= "...God will give grace to the humble."
= Love is natural when God's grace is realized.
= "...because He first loved us."
*"First John is written in the simplest Greek of all the New Testament...This is not to say, however, that 1John is a superficial book. On the contrary, the apostle John, now an old man, is writing a summary of all he has learned."
= It's just like love. So simple a child understands it, but so complex, sciencenever will.
*"We are to love on another."
= Is John telling us TO love one another, or is he simply showing us that if wedon't love one another, there is something wrong? If the latter, then let usnot force it, fake it, and then subsequently defile it! Let us go to the heartof the problem and fix the relationship with God (accepting grace) and withthe person (extending grace).
Want to vs. Have to = love vs. legalism
*"John wrote to assure the Christians in and around Ephesus that they were, indeed, true Christians with the assurance of eternal life."
= In Genesis, Satan claims "you will not surely die." Now, he claims we willnot surely live.
*"These false teachers denied that Christ was fully human. They kept his deity, but at the expense of his humanity. To them, salvation came by illumination. Thus, secret 'knowledge' was eagerly sought, often at the expense of apostolic doctrine."
= "...God will give grace to the humble."
= Love is natural when God's grace is realized.
= "...because He first loved us."
*"First John is written in the simplest Greek of all the New Testament...This is not to say, however, that 1John is a superficial book. On the contrary, the apostle John, now an old man, is writing a summary of all he has learned."
= It's just like love. So simple a child understands it, but so complex, sciencenever will.
*"We are to love on another."
= Is John telling us TO love one another, or is he simply showing us that if wedon't love one another, there is something wrong? If the latter, then let usnot force it, fake it, and then subsequently defile it! Let us go to the heartof the problem and fix the relationship with God (accepting grace) and withthe person (extending grace).
Want to vs. Have to = love vs. legalism
Accountability vs. Judgmentalism
-Condition of the heart-God gets the glory in accountability
-"I" get glory in judgmentalism
-Accountability is forgiving
-Judgmentalism is not forgiving
-Accountability takes issue to person
-Judgmentalism spreads gossip
-Judgmentalism is natural/earthly
-Acountability is Godly. So live in Christ in order to be free from judgmentalism.
-Those who are accountable are "fools" to the world.
-Those who judge are concerned with others' image of them.
People who aren't walking with Christ WILL be offned when confronted with their own wrong-doing. Don' be surprised or discouraged. Continue to love them until their heart changes.
Accountable = Accountable to whom? Accountable to Christ! How can we hold each other accountable to Christ unless we are living in Christ!! Judgmentalism is trying to hold people acountable to Christ while we are living in sin. It is the very heart of hypocrisy! A judge is one who attempts to remove the splinter from his neighbor's eye before taking the log out of his own.
I can't help but thnk that this issue has something to do with why we are scared to confess within the church.
-"I" get glory in judgmentalism
-Accountability is forgiving
-Judgmentalism is not forgiving
-Accountability takes issue to person
-Judgmentalism spreads gossip
-Judgmentalism is natural/earthly
-Acountability is Godly. So live in Christ in order to be free from judgmentalism.
-Those who are accountable are "fools" to the world.
-Those who judge are concerned with others' image of them.
People who aren't walking with Christ WILL be offned when confronted with their own wrong-doing. Don' be surprised or discouraged. Continue to love them until their heart changes.
Accountable = Accountable to whom? Accountable to Christ! How can we hold each other accountable to Christ unless we are living in Christ!! Judgmentalism is trying to hold people acountable to Christ while we are living in sin. It is the very heart of hypocrisy! A judge is one who attempts to remove the splinter from his neighbor's eye before taking the log out of his own.
I can't help but thnk that this issue has something to do with why we are scared to confess within the church.
Bologna Deception
God's mercy and grace saves us from legalism ("legalism" means living by a set of do's and don't's). Instead of sending us to the furnaces every time we make a mistake, He gives us another chance. So what then? Should we sin all the more so that grace will be more prevalent? GOD FORBID! (Romans 6:1-2a) God is not mocked (tricked or made a fool) We will reap what we sow. (Galatians 6:7) How can Christians, who have died to sin, find life any longer in it. (Romans 6:2b) The first "seed" we all sow is the seed of sin. (Psalm 51:5) Our harvest of this sinful seed is death. (Romans 6:23a) Eternal death; never know what life is. Baptism (complete submersion) into Jesus Christ alone gives life. (Romans 6:3,8-11) God reaches down into the soil of our souls and snatches out that seed of sin, and its harvest of eternal death. In its stead, He plants the seed of His sacrifice, and we reap eternal life. BUT BE NOT DECEIVED! Which ever seed is in your soul is what you WILL reap. No matter how many seeds are planted throughout your life, whether good or bad, that first seed WILL germinate. Which one is in you?
Hopefully, you have the transplanted seed of God's grace. If so, does this mean you are in the clear? You have God's eternal grace to always give you another chance, right? Doesn't this mean you can live any way you want and always have God there to pick up your tab? Hebrews 3:14 states that salvation is proved through continued fellowship with God. If you are living a life of unholiness, you better check and make sure which seed is "behind door number one."
Let's look back at Romans 6:23. "Wages" and "gift." There can be many payments of sin but there is only one gift of God. The payments of sin are "death." The gift of God is "eternal life." God's gift needs only to be given once because it is eternal and can never be altered. But for every sin there must be payment.of death. Plankeye sings a song called "Goodbye." The very last verse in that song states "Death takes many forms, even while alive." The first part of Galatians 6:8 reads "He who sows of the flesh will reap corruption of the flesh." Sow seeds of lusts and reap impotence, STDs, etc. Sow seeds of violence and reap violence. Sow seeds of lawlessness of reap incarceration. Sow seeds of adultery and reap divorce. Sow seeds of greed and reap bankruptcy. (Perhaps you get the point.)
But maybe you are a good person. Maybe your reputation is unblemished. You may even be a "goody-goody two shoes." Read Romans 3:9-20. I was shocked to read that the Bible twice says (once in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament) "There are NONE that do good, NO NOT ONE." Why? Because the law (which is perfected in Christ's righteousness) shows us our guilt before God. (John 3:20) Romans 3:23 states that we have ALL sinned and come short of God. Hebrews 4:15 states Christ endured all the things we do and yet without sin. John 3:20 tells us that men run from the Light because it exposes our deeds. 1 John 1:5 says God is that Light. Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and sharp, able to divide even the soul and spirit. Psalm 44:20-21 tells us God knows if we stretch out our hand to a god because He sees the deepest part of our hearts.
I can go over to a lady with the most disgusting lust in my heart and say all the right things and maybe trick her into giving me what I want. Maybe to convince this lady that I am good man, I tell her about the time I helped an old lady cross the street; forgetting to mention the part about me stealing her bologna once we got to the other side. In fact, I may take the young lady on a date and make dinner...bologna sandwiches. BUT BE NOT DECEIVED! God ain't eating your bologna!
Hopefully, you have the transplanted seed of God's grace. If so, does this mean you are in the clear? You have God's eternal grace to always give you another chance, right? Doesn't this mean you can live any way you want and always have God there to pick up your tab? Hebrews 3:14 states that salvation is proved through continued fellowship with God. If you are living a life of unholiness, you better check and make sure which seed is "behind door number one."
Let's look back at Romans 6:23. "Wages" and "gift." There can be many payments of sin but there is only one gift of God. The payments of sin are "death." The gift of God is "eternal life." God's gift needs only to be given once because it is eternal and can never be altered. But for every sin there must be payment.of death. Plankeye sings a song called "Goodbye." The very last verse in that song states "Death takes many forms, even while alive." The first part of Galatians 6:8 reads "He who sows of the flesh will reap corruption of the flesh." Sow seeds of lusts and reap impotence, STDs, etc. Sow seeds of violence and reap violence. Sow seeds of lawlessness of reap incarceration. Sow seeds of adultery and reap divorce. Sow seeds of greed and reap bankruptcy. (Perhaps you get the point.)
But maybe you are a good person. Maybe your reputation is unblemished. You may even be a "goody-goody two shoes." Read Romans 3:9-20. I was shocked to read that the Bible twice says (once in the Old Testament and once in the New Testament) "There are NONE that do good, NO NOT ONE." Why? Because the law (which is perfected in Christ's righteousness) shows us our guilt before God. (John 3:20) Romans 3:23 states that we have ALL sinned and come short of God. Hebrews 4:15 states Christ endured all the things we do and yet without sin. John 3:20 tells us that men run from the Light because it exposes our deeds. 1 John 1:5 says God is that Light. Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is alive and sharp, able to divide even the soul and spirit. Psalm 44:20-21 tells us God knows if we stretch out our hand to a god because He sees the deepest part of our hearts.
I can go over to a lady with the most disgusting lust in my heart and say all the right things and maybe trick her into giving me what I want. Maybe to convince this lady that I am good man, I tell her about the time I helped an old lady cross the street; forgetting to mention the part about me stealing her bologna once we got to the other side. In fact, I may take the young lady on a date and make dinner...bologna sandwiches. BUT BE NOT DECEIVED! God ain't eating your bologna!
I Am Torturing a Helpless Baby Girl
Romans 5:11-21
Romans 6:23
Genesis 1:26
Exodus 20: 5, Exodus 34:7, Numbers 14:18, Deuteronomy 5:9
We choose to suffer. When Jesus went to the cross, He deliberately chose to suffer for our sin thus enabling the "gift" of eteral life. His eternal life was proven upon His resurrection. However, the "wages" of sin is death (suffering). God paid the penalty, but we pay the conseuences. By sin, suffering and death came into the world. God is Life, and separation from Him can only bring pain, suffering, and death. Sin was a choice for Adam and Eve and is a choice for us today. Because of the original sin, pain came into the world; and through our sin, pain stays in this world.
Now you may be thinking: "I can accept whatever punishment I have incurred, but you can not tell me that an innocent baby in India CHOSE to sin and suffer. That is ludicrous!" I would have to say you are correct in that statement. But individual sin soes not just affect that individual. God punishes sin to the third and fourth generation. Adam and Eve's sins did not just affect them. Today, we are still blaming them.
By the sin of one man, death came into the world. Have you ever sinned? Yes? Then by the sin of one (you!), death stays in this world! Are you willing to give up cussing in order to save one child in India from suffering? Drinking? Adultery? Lying? Lust? Gossipping? Speeding?!
Jesus did more than just not sin to save the suffering of one child on India. On top of all that, He died the most cruel death of the time for everyone's suffering! Sure there is still suffering on earth even after Christ did what He did. But remember what was said earlier: God paid the penalty of sin, but we pay the consequences. We were given responsibility of this world.
Out of God's mercies, He will one day end the earth. Then there will be no suffering for the individuals who believed in Him nor for all of Heaven. However, fairness mandates that this gift be given only to those who have accepted this gift. Those who reject the gift will have to remain in pain forever. Choose wisely!
Romans 6:23
Genesis 1:26
Exodus 20: 5, Exodus 34:7, Numbers 14:18, Deuteronomy 5:9
We choose to suffer. When Jesus went to the cross, He deliberately chose to suffer for our sin thus enabling the "gift" of eteral life. His eternal life was proven upon His resurrection. However, the "wages" of sin is death (suffering). God paid the penalty, but we pay the conseuences. By sin, suffering and death came into the world. God is Life, and separation from Him can only bring pain, suffering, and death. Sin was a choice for Adam and Eve and is a choice for us today. Because of the original sin, pain came into the world; and through our sin, pain stays in this world.
Now you may be thinking: "I can accept whatever punishment I have incurred, but you can not tell me that an innocent baby in India CHOSE to sin and suffer. That is ludicrous!" I would have to say you are correct in that statement. But individual sin soes not just affect that individual. God punishes sin to the third and fourth generation. Adam and Eve's sins did not just affect them. Today, we are still blaming them.
By the sin of one man, death came into the world. Have you ever sinned? Yes? Then by the sin of one (you!), death stays in this world! Are you willing to give up cussing in order to save one child in India from suffering? Drinking? Adultery? Lying? Lust? Gossipping? Speeding?!
Jesus did more than just not sin to save the suffering of one child on India. On top of all that, He died the most cruel death of the time for everyone's suffering! Sure there is still suffering on earth even after Christ did what He did. But remember what was said earlier: God paid the penalty of sin, but we pay the consequences. We were given responsibility of this world.
Out of God's mercies, He will one day end the earth. Then there will be no suffering for the individuals who believed in Him nor for all of Heaven. However, fairness mandates that this gift be given only to those who have accepted this gift. Those who reject the gift will have to remain in pain forever. Choose wisely!
A Postmodern Forecast
Relativism can be related to the weather. I do not like the cold. I am miserable outside when the temperature is cold, and I cannot see how anyone would like it. However, there are people who love the cold and hate to see the temperature rise. This a matter of opinion and preference and not of truth. Say, for example, one day I watched the Weather Channel and saw that the current temperature was 49 degrees. Just then, two of my frends come inside. One cpmplains that the temperature is too cold and the other states that the weather is perfect. The two of them could argue over whether the temperature is too cold or perfect until they both die of TMJ complications. However, there is one thing that all three of us can agree on: the fact that the temperature is 49 degrees. No matter if you like it or not, the fact remains the same. The Weather Channel is a reliable and recognized source. It reports truth, is consistent, and has instruments to prove it.
This One Might Get Me in Trouble
* Creation was not complete without woman. The woman is a symbol of the church. In essence, God was not complete without man. "It is not good that man should be alone." (Genesis 2:18) God didn't want to be alone either.
* Also God created all the splendor and majesty of this earth and, at the end of everyday, He said "It is good." However, when it was all said and done, the crowning jewel of all creation was the woman. This atests to the beauty and wonder of woman. But also the church. Above all things, God's most prized "jewel" is the church.
* "No longer I live, but Christ lives within me." (Galatians 2:20) "joint-heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:17) "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24) "What God has joined, let no man separate." (Mark 10:9) Husband and wife are to no longer have two separate identities, but rather they are each one half of a whole. The same is true with God and the believer/church. We die and accept Christ's life. We no longer have our own identity but share in the life of Christ/share in His inheritance of the Kingdom. We become a house and He becomes the resident. We are the vessel; He is the substance. We are the machine/vehicle; He is the operator. Inseparable. One.
* Paul says a woman should remain silent in church. Be seen and not heard, so to speak. This sounds terribly harsh. However, in the perspective of the woman being the church, this begins to make some sense. Psalms states "Be still and know that I am God." (46:10) Elijah experienced God not in the wind, earthquake, or thunder, but in the still, small voice. (I Kings 19:11-13) Too many times our life is too noisy with our own thoughts, ideas, lifestyles, schedules, music, etc. to truly experience God. We forget our place/our role. In doing this, we lose ourselves since our identity is in Christ. Sometimes we would just do best to "sit down and shut up!" As for me, I'm still trying to understand this passage. Perhaps it's better understood in context of other verses, or maybe it's simply harsh but honest.
* "Better to not marry at all." (Matthew 19:10) This too is a difficult passage. In a sense, it would have been better had God never created man. If so, there would not be any division, pain, strife, suffering, sin, imperfection, etc. However, God loves us so much that He could not bear life alone without us. Paul states that if our libido is too high then we should marry to remain sexually pure. God has a burning passion and desire to be intimate with us. Human intimacy brings new human life. God's intimacy brings life eternal.
* Also God created all the splendor and majesty of this earth and, at the end of everyday, He said "It is good." However, when it was all said and done, the crowning jewel of all creation was the woman. This atests to the beauty and wonder of woman. But also the church. Above all things, God's most prized "jewel" is the church.
* "No longer I live, but Christ lives within me." (Galatians 2:20) "joint-heirs with Christ." (Romans 8:17) "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they will become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24) "What God has joined, let no man separate." (Mark 10:9) Husband and wife are to no longer have two separate identities, but rather they are each one half of a whole. The same is true with God and the believer/church. We die and accept Christ's life. We no longer have our own identity but share in the life of Christ/share in His inheritance of the Kingdom. We become a house and He becomes the resident. We are the vessel; He is the substance. We are the machine/vehicle; He is the operator. Inseparable. One.
* Paul says a woman should remain silent in church. Be seen and not heard, so to speak. This sounds terribly harsh. However, in the perspective of the woman being the church, this begins to make some sense. Psalms states "Be still and know that I am God." (46:10) Elijah experienced God not in the wind, earthquake, or thunder, but in the still, small voice. (I Kings 19:11-13) Too many times our life is too noisy with our own thoughts, ideas, lifestyles, schedules, music, etc. to truly experience God. We forget our place/our role. In doing this, we lose ourselves since our identity is in Christ. Sometimes we would just do best to "sit down and shut up!" As for me, I'm still trying to understand this passage. Perhaps it's better understood in context of other verses, or maybe it's simply harsh but honest.
* "Better to not marry at all." (Matthew 19:10) This too is a difficult passage. In a sense, it would have been better had God never created man. If so, there would not be any division, pain, strife, suffering, sin, imperfection, etc. However, God loves us so much that He could not bear life alone without us. Paul states that if our libido is too high then we should marry to remain sexually pure. God has a burning passion and desire to be intimate with us. Human intimacy brings new human life. God's intimacy brings life eternal.
Lukewarmness
Lukewarmness=complacency=straddling the fence
Our world is dominated with a relativistic post-modern philosophy. We are taught that the only truth is that there is no truth; we should accept everything and hold to nothing. This has fostered a sense of complacency within the Church. However, God tells us in His Word that lukewarmness makes Him sick. He would rather us be cold or hot. This is hard for us to understand. Max Lucado states "worse than a disdain for God, it is a disregard for Him."
Lukewarmness really only applies to those who have acknowledged God. To have acknowledged God is to understand the necessity of God. We must hold on to Him because He is Life and Truth. Despite this, we want to straddle the fence between God and this world. We want to hang on to God just enough to make our sin feel trivial. But if we know He is worth holding on to, then isn't He worth abiding in!
Joshua 24:13-23
"If we can trust God with our lives, why can't we trust God with our living." -Shanta Williams
Our world is dominated with a relativistic post-modern philosophy. We are taught that the only truth is that there is no truth; we should accept everything and hold to nothing. This has fostered a sense of complacency within the Church. However, God tells us in His Word that lukewarmness makes Him sick. He would rather us be cold or hot. This is hard for us to understand. Max Lucado states "worse than a disdain for God, it is a disregard for Him."
Lukewarmness really only applies to those who have acknowledged God. To have acknowledged God is to understand the necessity of God. We must hold on to Him because He is Life and Truth. Despite this, we want to straddle the fence between God and this world. We want to hang on to God just enough to make our sin feel trivial. But if we know He is worth holding on to, then isn't He worth abiding in!
Joshua 24:13-23
"If we can trust God with our lives, why can't we trust God with our living." -Shanta Williams
The First Indwelling
Luke 1: 26-38; Luke 1:39-45
Isaiah 6:1-8
Popular Christian jargon includes the use of the phrase "Christ comes and lives inside everyone who gets saved." This is taken from scripture; primarily Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." This "living inside" is often referred to as the indwelling of Christ (or the Holy Spirit). During Christmas season, particularly, we celebrate the birth of Christ from the virgin Mary. For this to happen, obviously, Christ had to "dwell" in Mary's womb. Therefore, in a way, Mary experienced the first "indwelling" of Christ.
Why did Jesus come to earth? 1.) Sin. The world is sinful, filthy. 2.) To be the sacrifice. Jesus' sacrifice covered the sin of the entire world. 3.) To do what the people could not. The people were rebellious, sinful, and incapable of following God's Word. Jesus would show them the way.
Why does Jesus come to man? 1.) Sin. Each of us are sinful and cannot fulfill our relationship with God. 2.) To be the sacrifice. Jesus' sacrifice covers our individual sins. 3.) To do what we cannot. We are rebellious, sinful, and incapable of following God's plan. We must rely on rely on Jesus to show us the way.
Jesus lived on earth as actually as He lives in our lives. Mary was the first person is whom Jesus lived. LITERALLY! Let's look at her experience and see what God is telling us today. The angel appeared to Mary. "The grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all man." (Titus 2:11) How could the angel appear to her? Mary was a virgin. She was obviously a woman of God. She had fought a good fight and ran a good race. She was a virtuous woman. But what about those of us who may not be so virtuous? God gives us forgiveness. "God is faithful and just to forgive all our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) Isaiah was unable to hear God's voice until he saw his uncleanness and was purged. Isaiah was broken before the Lord. God's sacrifice purged him. The forgiveness and cleansing of God's forgiveness causes Him to view us as virtuous. Mary's virtue is closely tied with her favor.
After the angel appeared to her, Mary was terrified. When we come face to face with God's purity and holiness, we will tremble. Our heart will fail us when we see our filthiness and yet God finds favor in us. How does God find favor in us? God loves us unconditionally. He desires to repair the relationship we have destroyed. Because of destroying our relationship with God, we do not deserve His favor. This can be reworded as "unmerited favor." Unmerited favor is a widely recognized definition of grace. Even though, Mary was a virgin, we have no basis to say she was without sin and thus deserving of the favor she found. In fact, according to Romans 3:23 no one has been deserving of God's favor or grace. However, because she lived a virtuous life, she was open to the prompting of God. When we ask for God's forgiveness out of a broken, contrite spirit then we are open to the prompting of God. That prompting of God introduces us to His favor and our Savior. The angel tells Mary she will be impregnated with the Son of God. The true, live Son of God will be alive in her. He will be great and set as ruler forever and ever.
But once again, how can this be? Mary asks the question, "How can this be since I have never been intimate with a man?" A very loose paraphrase of this could be, "How can this be, since I have never loved a man." Jesus says, "No one can love me unless he loves his brother." (1 John 4:21) Once again, we are faced with the issue of undeserved favor. How can such a God love me? This is a major stumbling block for most people. They refuse to accept the fact that God loves them just as they are. They think they need to take time to correct their behavior before coming to God. They soon fail at this and feel like even more incapable of coming to Christ. There are two problems with this. Go back to Isaiah. It was the sacrificial coal that did all the purging. Isaiah saw his unworthiness, confessed his sins, and immediately purged by the coal. Secondly, God doesn't want our works. He wants our heart. To say that you need to clean up you act is to claim legalism and not grace. Jesus said, "It is not the healthy but the sick who are in need of a physician." (Luke 5:31)
Now back to the question of the indwelling of Jesus. (John 3:4) Zaccheus wondered how a man could re-enter his mother's womb to be born again. He envisioned the wrong person entering. It is nothing we do (PRAISE THE LORD in more than one way J) but what Jesus does when He comes upon us. His power will overshadow us. Like the little girl who was perplexed about how a God so big could ever possibly fit into a person, she could not understand how God would not burst out. He could be everywhere at once, and yet when He comes into our hearts, many times He doesn't burst out. As we see in Mary's life, Jesus burst out in more than one way. You may be wondering still about how all this is possible. To be honest, I can not fully explain it. I can image the look of confusion on Mary's face as the angel tries to explain all this. The angel simply tells Mary to believe it "for nothing is impossible with God." The only thing left to be done was for Mary to accept this as truth. The angel had told Mary all the things that "will" happen. This does not mean that Mary did not have a choice. These were promises. Mary had been created for just this purpose. "For such a time as this." (Esther 4:14) She did not deserve it. It was because of God's favor. Unmerited favor. Grace. God giving us blessings we do not deserve. But the choice is still ours. We will lie ourselves down to fit into God's puzzle or will we have to be whittled out to fit somewhere else. Mary's response was direct. "I am the Lord's slave." "Let it be done to me according to Your Word." What does God's Word say?
Romans 3:23 = "For all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory."
Romans 6:23 = "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
John 3:3 = "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
John 14:6 = "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Romans 10:9-10 = "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead; you will be saved."
2 Corinthians 5:15 = "He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again."
Revelation 3:20 = "Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me."
What happened then? "The angel left." You no longer need the angel. You have Jesus. You don't need a preacher with you all the time. People come; people go. But God has set up His throne forever (v. 33). Remember when we talked about the Holy Spirit being so big if He were jammed inside someone surely He would burst out. The next thing Mary did was tell Elizabeth. Mary's visit caused Elizabeth to proclaim Mary as blessed and her child blessed. Indeed, Jesus came out of Mary in a very real way. He walked and talked among the rest of the people, making disciples. Figuratively, the same can happen to us. Verse 45 states, "She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled." "He is faithful to complete the work He started in us." (Philippians 1:6) This is the Word of the Lord spoken to you today. You will be blessed if you believe. The only question left to answer is, "Will you believe?
Isaiah 6:1-8
Popular Christian jargon includes the use of the phrase "Christ comes and lives inside everyone who gets saved." This is taken from scripture; primarily Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." This "living inside" is often referred to as the indwelling of Christ (or the Holy Spirit). During Christmas season, particularly, we celebrate the birth of Christ from the virgin Mary. For this to happen, obviously, Christ had to "dwell" in Mary's womb. Therefore, in a way, Mary experienced the first "indwelling" of Christ.
Why did Jesus come to earth? 1.) Sin. The world is sinful, filthy. 2.) To be the sacrifice. Jesus' sacrifice covered the sin of the entire world. 3.) To do what the people could not. The people were rebellious, sinful, and incapable of following God's Word. Jesus would show them the way.
Why does Jesus come to man? 1.) Sin. Each of us are sinful and cannot fulfill our relationship with God. 2.) To be the sacrifice. Jesus' sacrifice covers our individual sins. 3.) To do what we cannot. We are rebellious, sinful, and incapable of following God's plan. We must rely on rely on Jesus to show us the way.
Jesus lived on earth as actually as He lives in our lives. Mary was the first person is whom Jesus lived. LITERALLY! Let's look at her experience and see what God is telling us today. The angel appeared to Mary. "The grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all man." (Titus 2:11) How could the angel appear to her? Mary was a virgin. She was obviously a woman of God. She had fought a good fight and ran a good race. She was a virtuous woman. But what about those of us who may not be so virtuous? God gives us forgiveness. "God is faithful and just to forgive all our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) Isaiah was unable to hear God's voice until he saw his uncleanness and was purged. Isaiah was broken before the Lord. God's sacrifice purged him. The forgiveness and cleansing of God's forgiveness causes Him to view us as virtuous. Mary's virtue is closely tied with her favor.
After the angel appeared to her, Mary was terrified. When we come face to face with God's purity and holiness, we will tremble. Our heart will fail us when we see our filthiness and yet God finds favor in us. How does God find favor in us? God loves us unconditionally. He desires to repair the relationship we have destroyed. Because of destroying our relationship with God, we do not deserve His favor. This can be reworded as "unmerited favor." Unmerited favor is a widely recognized definition of grace. Even though, Mary was a virgin, we have no basis to say she was without sin and thus deserving of the favor she found. In fact, according to Romans 3:23 no one has been deserving of God's favor or grace. However, because she lived a virtuous life, she was open to the prompting of God. When we ask for God's forgiveness out of a broken, contrite spirit then we are open to the prompting of God. That prompting of God introduces us to His favor and our Savior. The angel tells Mary she will be impregnated with the Son of God. The true, live Son of God will be alive in her. He will be great and set as ruler forever and ever.
But once again, how can this be? Mary asks the question, "How can this be since I have never been intimate with a man?" A very loose paraphrase of this could be, "How can this be, since I have never loved a man." Jesus says, "No one can love me unless he loves his brother." (1 John 4:21) Once again, we are faced with the issue of undeserved favor. How can such a God love me? This is a major stumbling block for most people. They refuse to accept the fact that God loves them just as they are. They think they need to take time to correct their behavior before coming to God. They soon fail at this and feel like even more incapable of coming to Christ. There are two problems with this. Go back to Isaiah. It was the sacrificial coal that did all the purging. Isaiah saw his unworthiness, confessed his sins, and immediately purged by the coal. Secondly, God doesn't want our works. He wants our heart. To say that you need to clean up you act is to claim legalism and not grace. Jesus said, "It is not the healthy but the sick who are in need of a physician." (Luke 5:31)
Now back to the question of the indwelling of Jesus. (John 3:4) Zaccheus wondered how a man could re-enter his mother's womb to be born again. He envisioned the wrong person entering. It is nothing we do (PRAISE THE LORD in more than one way J) but what Jesus does when He comes upon us. His power will overshadow us. Like the little girl who was perplexed about how a God so big could ever possibly fit into a person, she could not understand how God would not burst out. He could be everywhere at once, and yet when He comes into our hearts, many times He doesn't burst out. As we see in Mary's life, Jesus burst out in more than one way. You may be wondering still about how all this is possible. To be honest, I can not fully explain it. I can image the look of confusion on Mary's face as the angel tries to explain all this. The angel simply tells Mary to believe it "for nothing is impossible with God." The only thing left to be done was for Mary to accept this as truth. The angel had told Mary all the things that "will" happen. This does not mean that Mary did not have a choice. These were promises. Mary had been created for just this purpose. "For such a time as this." (Esther 4:14) She did not deserve it. It was because of God's favor. Unmerited favor. Grace. God giving us blessings we do not deserve. But the choice is still ours. We will lie ourselves down to fit into God's puzzle or will we have to be whittled out to fit somewhere else. Mary's response was direct. "I am the Lord's slave." "Let it be done to me according to Your Word." What does God's Word say?
Romans 3:23 = "For all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory."
Romans 6:23 = "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
John 3:3 = "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."
John 14:6 = "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Romans 10:9-10 = "If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead; you will be saved."
2 Corinthians 5:15 = "He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again."
Revelation 3:20 = "Here I am. I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me."
What happened then? "The angel left." You no longer need the angel. You have Jesus. You don't need a preacher with you all the time. People come; people go. But God has set up His throne forever (v. 33). Remember when we talked about the Holy Spirit being so big if He were jammed inside someone surely He would burst out. The next thing Mary did was tell Elizabeth. Mary's visit caused Elizabeth to proclaim Mary as blessed and her child blessed. Indeed, Jesus came out of Mary in a very real way. He walked and talked among the rest of the people, making disciples. Figuratively, the same can happen to us. Verse 45 states, "She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled." "He is faithful to complete the work He started in us." (Philippians 1:6) This is the Word of the Lord spoken to you today. You will be blessed if you believe. The only question left to answer is, "Will you believe?
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